What is a Thesis Statement

1
What is a Thesis Statement?
2
What is a Thesis Statement?

• Subject Opinion Why Thesis
• A thesis statement is1.  A full declarative
  sentence.
• 2.  A statement that includes a topic and an
  opinion.

3
What is the Purpose of a Thesis Statement?

• A thesis statement lets your reader know early on
  exactly what your essay is going to be about, and
  it also keeps you focused on your essay's main
  point.

4
What is the Purpose of a Thesis Statement?

• For the writer, the thesis statement
• Serves as a planning tool.
• Helps the writer determine the essays real
  focus.
• Becomes a hook on which the writer can hang
  the topic sentences that present
• evidence in support of the thesis.

5
What is the purpose of a Thesis Statement?

• For the reader, the thesis statement
• Serves as a map to guide the reader through the
  paper.
• Prepares the reader to read.
• Keeps the reader focused on the main idea.
• Creates a reason to keep reading, to discover the
  support behind the thesis.

6
What a Thesis is Not?

• Announcement
• Question
• Fact
• Unclear or unfocused
• Narrow or broad

• Author's subjective self (I)
• Less than or more than a sentence
• A statement of purpose
• Merely a topic

7
Practice and Application

• Write two different thesis statements for each of
  the following topics. Each thesis statement
  should take a different stance on the selected
  topic. You will be required to share one of your
  thesis sentences with the class.
• Hats in School
• CD Players in School
• Legal drinking age
• Dress code